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Salzburg Dom is the main Salzburg cathedral, and it has been an integral part of the city for quite some time. One Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was baptized here in 1756. Salzburg Dom can be found in the heart of Salzburg's Old Town on the south side of the Residenzplatz. Look for the statue depicting the Virgin Mary, and you know you are close. Of course, by that time, you will have likely already noticed the Salzburg Dom towers, which are capped in weathered bronze. Salzburg Dom is an impressive seventeenth century baroque cathedral, and it's a Salzburg attraction that you won't want to miss when enjoying tours of the city. Even when hanging out in other cities or towns in western Austria, such as Zell am See and Innsbruck, it's worth heading to Salzburg to enjoy it's Old Town.

It is believed that the site of the cathedral in Salzburg was also a religious site for the Celts and the Romans who came before. The first actual cathedral built here was erected way back in 774, and it was smaller than the current structure. A lightening bolt was the cause of the fire that destroyed the original cathedral in Salzburg in 842. Three years afterwards, work on a new structure began. In the Middle Ages, three major building projects altered the original Salzburg cathedral, though the cathedral's basilica suffered major damages in 1598. The old Salzburg Dom would finally be razed under the order of Prince Archbishop Wolf Dietrich, who is also responsible for ordering the construction of Mirabell Palace, which is also found in Salzburg.

Prince Archbishop Dietrich made plans for a new church in Salzburg on the site of the old cathedral, though his plans never came to fruition. Instead, it was Dietrich's successor, Archbishop Markus Sittikus, who commissioned the new Salzburg Dom. He enlisted the help of a renowned architect from Italy, Santino Solari. The Salzburg Cathedral was consecrated in the year 1628. What you will find at the site today is one of the best Renaissance buildings in all of Europe. The marble facade of the cathedral in Salzburg is something to behold on its own, and when you also consider the church's famed 4,000-pipe organ, it only gets better. Mascagni of Florence painted the beautiful frescoes that grace the cathedral's interior, and also among the highlights here is the Romanesque font, which was used in Mozart's baptismal ceremony. Coincidentally, you can also visit Mozart's birthplace when in Salzburg. Known as Mozarts Geburtshaus, it is a fascinating attraction all its own.

There is a museum at the Salzburg Cathedral where you can view art collections amassed by past archbishops. Also of interest are the cathedral excavations, which provide insight into the original foundation of Salzburg Dom. This foundation dates back to Roman times when Salzburg was nothing more than a Roman town called Juvavum.

The Salzburg Dom, or Salzburg Cathedral, is dedicated to Saint Rupert of Salzburg, who is credited with founding the city after Juvavum was all but left in ruins. It is a glorious church in Salzburg. Even if you are tight on time, it's worth entering the cathedral just to gawk at its ornate, baroque interior. As for the aforementioned pipe organ, curious visitors can stop by Salzburg Dom on Wednesday or Thursday at 11:15 a.m. to hear an organ recital. The cathedral itself is open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is free, though there is a small fee to view the excavations, as well as a fee to enter the cathedral's museum. Both are worth the price.